The D-League did some major shuffling with affiliations for the 2009-10 season, but the Dakota Wizards still have a pat hand.

The Wizards will be affiliated with Washington for a fourth straight year and Memphis for the third season in a row. Aside from the D-League teams that are owned by NBA clubs, every other team except the Iowa Energy had at least one affiliate change.

The Wizards haven't gotten much help from their big-league brethren - just two players have been assigned in Dakota's first three seasons - but the team says the relationships remain positive.

"We made some good strides last year (with Memphis) with Hamed Haddadi," said Scott Schroeder, the Wizards director of public and media relations. "And it was definitely a good relationship last year with Washington, and assume it will continue to be."

But unless roster moves are made, don't expect to see any of the NBA's Wizards in Bismarck this season. JaVale McGee is the only player eligible for assignment, and he'll be in Washington's rotation. The Wizards dealt their draft picks.

The Grizzlies are another matter, with seven eligible players. Although O.J. Mayo, Marc Gasol and Hasheem Thabeet, this year's No. 2 overall pick, won't be getting sent down others are more likely. Among the possibilities are Haddadi and rookies Sam Young (No. 27) and DeMarre Carroll (No. 36).

The biggest news coming out of the affiliations was the Houston Rockets and Rio Grande Valley Vipers teaming up for the D-League's first "hybrid affiliation."

Several NBA teams own their D-League affiliates, including San Antonio (Austin), the Los Angeles Lakers (D-Fenders) and Oklahoma City (Tulsa). The hybrid setup allows teams to remain independently owned, while turning over control of basketball operations to the NBA club, similar to the structure of minor-league baseball.

Schroeder said the Wizards would be open to that option in the future, but that geography works against them.

"Our problem is that teams like to be close by," Schroeder said.

Among the other changes, Dakota's top rival, Sioux Falls, remained affiliated with the Minnesota Timberwolves. But the Skyforce will now be linked with Miami instead of Charlotte.

The Anaheim Arsenal have moved to Springfield, Mass., and the new team will be affiliated with New Jersey, New York and Philadelphia.

The other new team, the Maine Red Claws, will be affiliated with Boston and Charlotte.

The D-League champion Colorado 14ers will relocate to Frisco, Texas, beginning in 2010-11. That leaves the D-League with 16 teams again for 2009-10.

NBA D-League affiliations

Dakota Wizards

Memphis Grizzlies

Washington Wizards

Albuquerque Thunderbirds

Dallas Mavericks

New Orleans Hornets

Austin Toros

San Antonio Spurs

Bakersfield Jam

Golden State Warriors

Los Angeles Clippers

Erie BayHawks

Cleveland Cavaliers

Toronto Raptors

Fort Wayne Mad Ants

Detroit Pistons

Indiana Pacers

Milwaukee Bucks

Idaho Stampede

Denver Nuggets

Portland Trail Blazers

Iowa Energy

Chicago Bulls

Phoenix Suns

Los Angeles D-Fenders

Los Angeles Lakers

Maine Red Claws

Boston Celtics

Charlotte Bobcats

Reno Bighorns

Orlando Magic

Sacramento Kings

Rio Grande Valley Vipers

Houston Rockets

Sioux Falls Skyforce

Miami Heat

Minnesota Timberwolves

Springfield

New Jersey Nets

New York Knicks

Philadelphia 76ers

Tulsa 66ers

Oklahoma City Thunder

Utah Flash

Atlanta Hawks

Utah Jazz